How to Travel Solo in Sydney, Australia: A Detailed Free Guide
Estimated reading time: 6 minutes
Traveling solo has its allure. It is the magic of exploring places in own style that captivates the most.
The biggest city in Australia, Sydney is a top-rated travel destination and receives approximately 4 million international visitors every year. This city offers an array of options of travel spots- from pristine beaches, lush greenery to vineyards and alluring waterfalls.
Travelling solo in Sydney was the best travel decision I had ever taken. So, here, I will share my tour details with you- the places I visited, where I stayed and ate, and so on.
So, please stick with me to learn more!
Why solo travel to Sydney?
Before I jump to the nitty-gritty of my solo trip to Sydney, I would want to discuss why one should travel solo in this city?
There is no doubt that the concept of solo traveling is gaining popularity, mainly because it offers flexibility, independence, and convenience. Since 2016 this trend has grabbed global attention with its growing popularity. In 2019, it accounted for 11% of the worldwide travel market as per the solotravelerworld.com statistics.
So why Sydney? The answer is simple- it is one of the safest cities that offers friendly locals, great hospitality, cosmopolitan culture, and endless places to discover. All these reasons made me put Sydney on my travel bucket list.
Things to consider before travelling solo to Sydney
Before you start to dig deeper for your solo Sydney itinerary, let’s take a look at the below list of things to consider travelling to this city.
Safety
Although Sydney is safe for male and female solo travellers, you should pick up suitable sightseeing destinations, accommodation options, etc. Always check over the internet about the reviews of the places you are targeting to visit. Also, make sure to list the emergency contact details of the local area, which is 000 for police, ambulance, and fire brigade.
Here is the link for the NSW Government website to all emergency contacts – https://www.lls.nsw.gov.au/what-we-do/emergency-contacts
Travel insurance is also a good idea to opt for. You can share your location back home via GPS.
Weather
Check the weather before buying the tickets! We say so because lousy weather can mar your entire trip experience. Use online apps or weather forecasting websites to check the upcoming forecasts.
Currency
Australia uses its national currency, the Australian Dollars (AUD). It come in the denominations of $5, $10, $20, $50 and $100 notes. Whereas coins come in 5, 10, 20, and 50 cents. You can find one- and two-dollar denominations as well.
Transportation
To travel by Sydney’s well-structured public transportation system, you must get yourself an Opal Card. You can use this rechargeable card can be used in NSW’s train, bus, ferry, light rail, and metro. My suggestion is to download the Opal Travel app from the app store. Click here
Sightseeing tour
On my solo trip to Sydney, I had hired a private tour operator from Sydney who made my daily itinerary easier. I shared my travel plans and destinations with them, and their associate helped me get everything sorted. I also advised hiring a bike for myself for local day trips from Sydney.
Solo travel apps
Travelling solo doesn’t mean you have to go alone. Technology can be your best friend. Install travel apps like TripWhistle Global, AnyTour, Travello, and Triplt to stay connected with like-minded travellers, save your bookings, and so on.
Best things to do on your solo trip to Sydney
So, what can you do in Sydney when you are alone? Well, almost everything! The city has so many destinations and activities to offer that you can keep yourself busy and excited all the time.
Go for a day trip on foot
The most exciting and economical way to explore Sydney is on foot. Taking experience from my solo trip, I suggest you explore the city’s streets and lanes walking. If you have a couple of days, you can break your day trip itinerary accordingly and visit attractions like
- The Harbour Bridge
- The Opera House
- Mrs Macquarie’s Chair
- Darling Harbour
- The Royal Botanic Gardens
- Hyde Park
The Coastal Walk
Since Sydney is famous for its scintillating beaches, you can book coastal walks for yourself. Some of the popular coastal walks you can undertake are
- Bondi to Coogee coastal walk
- Many to Spit Bridge walk
- Federation Cliff Walk
- Bradley’s Head to Chowder Bay Walk
- The Museum of Contemporary Arts
Hike to the Blue Mountains
The Blue Mountains have their charm and allure. This World Heritage Site has much to offer, from towering mountains, cascading waterfalls, scenic beauty, Aboriginal rock arts, and hiking spots. If you are an adventure lover and want to take a break from the downtown, plan a hike to the Blue Mountains. Visit the Blue Mountains Tours from Sydney to learn more.
Go for a wine trip to the Hunter Valley
The Hunter Valley is the oldest wine region in Australia. Here you can find the world’s best Semillon wines along with other wine varieties. This region also offers loads of different activities, including cheese tasting, hot air ballooning, garden walks, and so on.
Koala watching
Since I am an animal lover, I could not help but respond to my wish to visit the Australian native animal- koalas. So, I visited the Taronga Zoo, which is only 12 minutes ferry from the Circular Quay. You can spend a whole day exploring this zoo or exclusively book a Koala encounter if solely interested in these animals.
The best solo dining options in Sydney, Australia
Sydney is the melting pot of multi-cultural cuisines. I had my best food experiences in the following eating spots:
- Sydney Opera Bar– Best for wine tasting and the view of the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbor Bridge
- Sydney Fish Market– If you love freshly caught Sydney Rock Oysters and other seafood
- Chinatown– Known for flavours of Asia
- Harry’s Cafe de Wheels– For meat pies
- The Australian Heritage Hotel– If you want to try the kangaroos
Low on budget? Go your own way
Sharing housing or couch surfing
Before booking my tickets to Sydney, I hunted down some good options for house-share in the city. It is one of the best ways to cut down on your travel expenses and go economical. I found a sharing flat and a friendly flatmate who helped me plan my local itinerary upon my arrival. Other cheap stay options in Sydney include hostels, Airbnb, and couch surfing.
Rent a car or bike
As I had mentioned earlier, I had hired a bike for my local day trip. It cost me less, and I was able to explore the city without anybody’s interference. I was all my own with my bike, GPS, and backpack.
Related articles
